Hosts, Nigeria, two others target AFCON final
At the 34th TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which is currently taking place and will be hosted in Cote d'Ivoire in 2023, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, and South Africa have all confirmed their places in the AFCON semi-finals.
Driven by tenacity, enthusiasm, and unexpected developments, the four countries emerged from a 24-team roster split into six groups at the beginning of the AFCON.
The competition, which began on January 13 and ends on February 11, has already eliminated twenty additional countries.
This is a breakdown of the time and location.
AFCON semi-finals matches:
1. Nigeria vs. South Africa
Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Time: 6pm
Venue: Stade de Bouaké
2. Cote d’Ivoire vs. Congo DR
Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Time: 9pm
Venue: Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara
AFCON semis interesting facts
The Super Eagles are the sole team to advance to the semi-finals without the need for extra time.
South Africa’s most recent semi-final outing ended in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Nigeria in 2000.
Additionally, DR Congo qualified for the final both times they won the CAN title (1968 and 1974) by defeating the host nation in the semi-final.
They had already defeated Ethiopia 3-2 in a thrilling extra-time match in 1968. They repeated the victory over Egypt in 1974 by the same score.
The Nigerian Super Eagles
The Super Eagles emerge as the most experienced team in the current phase in an intriguing turn of events.
Nigeria, making an outstanding 16th appearance in a TotalEnergies CAF AFCON semi-final, is dead set on securing a desired spot in the match.
They were the pre-tournament favourites, but there were challenges along the way, most notably a draw against Equatorial Guinea.
Their attacking capabilities were the centre of attention, but their defence held strong, giving up just one goal.
The DR Congo's Leopards
The Democratic Republic of the Congo accomplished a historic milestone in the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast 2023, in an incredible turn of events.
The long-awaited triumph was achieved when the Leopards played Guinea in the quarterfinals. They showed incredible fortitude by rallying from an early Syli National goal to win 3-1.
This historic victory not only puts DR Congo into the semi-finals but also etchs the nation's name in history as the country advances to this stage of the coveted Cup of Nations for the fifth time.
The Côte d'Ivoire Elephants
After a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, the Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire were in danger of being eliminated.
They pulled off an incredible comeback, shocking everyone by defeating Senegal, the current African champion.
Oumar Diakité's injury-time goal gave Côte d'Ivoire a thrilling victory over Mali and guaranteed them a place in the semi-finals.
Côte d'Ivoire will now play DR Congo in their ninth semi-final appearance, creating an electrifying atmosphere and paving the way for an exciting rematch of the 2015 semifinals.
Interestingly, the Elephants won that match in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, by a score of 3-1.
African football team Bafana Bafana
After a 24-year absence from the AFCON semi-finals, Bafana Bafana has made a spectacular comeback to take back the limelight.
With noteworthy victories over Cape Verde, the reigning champion, and Morocco, a formidable World Cup semifinalist, South Africa's journey to this point has been nothing short of spectacular.
